Off-roader maker eyeing Goa market

Panaji, March 4 (IANS) The world's leading off-roader and all-terrain vehicle (ATV) manufacturer Polaris is eyeing Goa and four other states for a potential market, a company official said.

"In a diverse country like ours, there is scope and demand for all types of off-road vehicles. From our market research and trends, Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa and Tamil Nadu seem to have more potential," Polaris India managing director Pankaj Dubey told IANS Monday.

Polaris has recently opened up dealerships in Goa as part of its nationwide operations network.

Dubey added that the off-roader market in India has grown by 100 per cent.

"The off-roader industry, though nascent, is finally capturing the popular imagination in India," he said, adding that the rough and tumble vehicles were preferred not only by adventure lovers and ATV enthusiasts, but also by travel and tour companies and children.

"The defence sector comes next followed by the agriculture sector," Pandey said, spelling out the target audience for ATVs in India.

Pandey said high-profile biking events like the India Bike Week, which was recently held in Goa, had created a large amount of awareness about off-roaders and ATVs.

"Our test rides gave people and serious bike riders a taste of what our off-road vehicles are capable of. We have generated a positive buzz on the ground," Pandey said.